Steven Holl Architects in collaboration with BNIM Architects, has won the commission for the new art studio facility for the University of Iowa (UI) Arts campus.

Wednesday, 17 February 2010 08:06

Steven Holl Architects in collaboration with BNIM Architects, has won the commission for the new art studio facility for the University of Iowa (UI) Arts campus.The new building is to replace an original arts building from 1936, which was heavily damaged during a flood of the University of Iowa campus in June 2008. The proposed site is directly adjacent to and northwest of the Art Building West, designed by Steven Holl Architects, which since its opening in 2006 has received numerous awards, including the AIA 2007 Institute Honor Award for Architecture.

The selection process, which was to find an architect-led team and not to select a specific design, was organized by The University of Iowa. The Selection Committee, chaired by UI Facilities Management project manager Beverly Robalino, chose Steven Holl Architects with BNIM Architects, for their “creativity and attention to complex issues on an exciting but difficult site. The Steven Holl Architects/BNIM team displayed awareness and sensitivity to an adjacent residential neighborhood, a solid understanding of challenges related to FEMA supported projects, and a unique connection to the site’s most direct contextual neighbor; Holl’s celebrated Art Building West.”

UI Facilities Management director of Planning, Design & Construction, Rod Lehnertz said, “the University unanimously chose the team of Steven Holl and BNIM, based on our confidence in what the team brings to the table, and in the positive results of our past partnerships. We feel fortunate to, once again, have the opportunity to work with Steven Holl Architects, as together we advance a new building fitting the top-level program that will reside there. As was the case the last time Steven Holl came to our campus, this will be a project that will create success for both the School of Art & Art History and The University of Iowa.”

Steven Holl said, “We are very pleased to be able to work again with The University of Iowa towards the creation of campus space as well as a new an inspiring facility for the arts.”